Lessons from Esther: A Great Feast

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) 2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: 4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. Esther 1:1-4

Esther is a wonderful book with a beautiful story. Esther is one of two books named after a woman. It is also one of two books in the Bible that does not mention God’s name. As we will see, as the story progresses, God’s name is not mentioned, but one can see the “presence of God” throughout the entire book.

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

Background info:

Writer: Unknown

Time: 486-464 B.C.

Place:  Persia

The story begins “in the days of Ahasuerus” (Xerxes his Greek name). The king reigned from India to Ethiopia and ruled over 127 provinces, a huge kingdom, to rule and reign. There were about 60 nations that were under the reign of Ahasuerus (A. Barnes).

This king was extremely powerful and when he spoke people listened and obeyed. In his third year, Ahasuerus decides to have a great feast for all his princes, nobles and servants. I’m sure all the RSVPs came back with “will attend”.

It appears that the reason for the feast was to “show off” all his great and wonderful possessions. The “brag” fest lasted for 180 days. Can you imagine hosting a party for 180 days? Can you image the cost of hosting a party for 180 days which included food, drink and lodging?

The king was full of pride. His main concern was for his welfare. It was all about him. He obviously did not know the verse, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

Pride is an attribute we should not try to attain. When we are prideful it is all about us, nothing absolutely nothing matters but what we want. A prideful person does not care about anyone else.

Take a few minutes to do a study on pride. Here are a few verse to get you started:

Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Psalm 73:6 

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. Psalm 10:4 

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Proverbs 29:23 

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:16 

Join me the next time to find out what else the king is planning. Until then,

 Have a blessed day, 

Donna